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Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures

Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages! We offer ten language programs: Arabic, ASL, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Our programs strive to prepare students for an ever-changing world, where a multicultural global society continues to develop.

The Department is committed to Student Success and to preparing students for active participation in a Global Society, by providing the instruction of highest standard in modern languages and cultures. Our diverse faculty members dynamically engage students in learning languages and cultures through classes, colloquiums and forums, conversation tables, student-centered cultural clubs and activities, and study abroad programs.

All of our courses effectively use media and technology to help students gain valuable communicative skills that are culturally appropriate. A variety of technology-based language resources are available to the students through the Modern Language Technology Center (MLTC).

Students can minor or have an immersion in all 10 languages. They can also bring back credits earned from study abroad and apply torwards their minor or immersion. Contact minor advisors for details.

Learn a new language, and...

Acquire a new set of communicative skills

Our proficiency-based language courses include rigorous training in expressive and receptive communication in the target language. The classes prepare students for living and working in a global and multicultural society both at home and abroad.

Gain a global perspective and learn to appreciate different cultures

Students acquire skills, knowledge, and an appreciation of and sensitivity to commonalities and differences of culture and belief systems through the reading, viewing, and discussion of assigned materials. Through the discussion of literature, history, culture, and current events pertaining to the target country, students also gain a deeper understanding of the role of the United States in an ever-changing world.

Think critically about our world

Learning a new language and culture hones the students' critical thinking skills. They learn to compare and contrast that which they know to that which they are learning, and they draw new conclusions and gain new insights. The result is not only a deeper understanding and appreciation of the host culture but also of one's place in the world, and of one's own language and culture.